Manchester Restaurants, Salford Quays, and
the Lowry.. [1] [2]
[3] [4]
[5] [6]
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Stopping for a bite to eat…
By this time feeling exhausted but
knowing I had to continue on my trek, I decided that a break was in
order and headed to the Slug and Lettuce opposite St Peter’s
Square. I have to admit though that it was the creative name which
attracted me here in the first place but the delicious pub food managed
to exceed my expectations. There are plenty of Wetherspoons pubs dotted
about the city, most notably along Oxford Road.
For somewhere to eat
for that special occasion, I can’t recommend
enough going to Beluga, just off Albert Square (no, not from the
set of EastEnders but the real one in Manchester), where upstairs
is a cocktail bar serving tempting drinks and downstairs is a fine,
classy restaurant where you will dine in comfortable surroundings.
A little on the expensive side, but the prices are certainly worth
it if you’re in Manchester for a special break away.
If you’re
lucky enough to be in Manchester during the Christmas period (and
I was), then visit the German market at St Peter’s
Square. Although it gets very busy, you will find everything you
want here: pottery, glasswork, ornaments, bags, jewellery. The icing
on the cake for me was enjoying a glass of mulled wine and a delicious
German sausage inside a warm wooden shelter. Sausages and mulled
wine galore here!
The Quays are calling…
After I had gained a small paunch from
my lunch at Slug and Lettuce, I took the Metrolink tram along the
Eccles line to Salford Quays, having heard that it was an up and
coming area. Upon arrival I could certainly see why so many young
professionals had decided to call this area of Manchester home: it
is complete with impressive apartment blocks, cute little cottages
and the breathtaking waters with the promenade leading down to exactly
what I had come for: the Lowry Outlet Mall. Only recently opened,
there is also the Lowry Centre sitting opposite the mall, housing
a Vue cinema and the newly opened theatre, where many Shakespearean
plays are acted out.
But if it’s shopping we’re talking
about, there is plenty to find in this mall. It basically consists
of independent shops, but many of the outlet stores such as Whistles
often have sales and you definitely won’t miss them, as Sales
Posters adorn every window. My favourite shop was the Buddha Shop,
selling sumptuous bean bags which I could have sat on for hours before
falling into a peaceful and relaxing sleep. There are also plenty
of gallery shops in case you want to decorate the walls of your home
with something a bit different. Again if you’re feeling a bit
hungry, head to the extensive Food Court where you can tuck in to
some mouth watering Harry Ramsden fish and chips.
Further afield…
If you haven’t heard of the Trafford
Centre then you mustn’t
be living on Earth. This gigantic shopping mall opened to the public
on the 10th September 1998 and has since become one of the most popular
destinations for shopping in Britain. Just 9 kilometres from Manchester
city centre, the Trafford Centre holds 230 stores. Like the Arndale
Centre, it holds every store you can think of, except on a grander
scale and with amazing architecture and décor: just look out
for the dolphin fountain!
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